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Cynefin - A Zemiological Examination into Vulnerable Children in Wales and Scotland / Alaina Turner

Swansea University Author: Alaina Turner

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DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUthesis.69832

Abstract

Cynefin – is a Welsh word that has no direct translation into English. It is a feeling, being of a place, it describes the elements and experiences of our environment that influence us and how we see the world and shape our identity and our well-being, it is a feeling of belonging. Children who are...

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Published: Swansea, Wales, UK 2025
Institution: Swansea University
Degree level: Doctoral
Degree name: Ph.D
Supervisor: Chales, Anthony ; Janes, Joseph
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69832
first_indexed 2025-06-27T10:29:22Z
last_indexed 2025-06-28T07:58:29Z
id cronfa69832
recordtype RisThesis
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Children who are sequestered in to the care system become a number in the system and measurements on their behaviour, achievements and stability are taken to understand the success or failure, of their corporate parent. Their need for love, security and a sense of belonging appear to be lost in the noise. This study applies a zemiological lens to examine the avoidable social harms experienced by children and young people with care experience in the devolved nations of Wales and Scotland. Zemiology, the study of social harms beyond legal frameworks, reveals how systemic failings in care provision generate multilayered harms including physical, emotional, financial, harms of recognition, and autonomy harms that collectively restrict opportunities, perpetuate inequality, silence the voice of the vulnerable and negatively impact life trajectories. Using a constructivist, embedded single case study design, qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews, visual timelines, and online surveys with care-experienced children, adults with care experience as children, and professionals. Reflexive thematic analysis identified 4 core themes: The Role of Social Services and Key Workers; The Extremes of Fostering; Harm to Crime; and Belonging. Findings illuminate the emotional and psychological toll of unstable placements, the trauma of edge-of-care experiences, failure of hearing the child&#x2019;s voice, and the hidden pain of unsupported carers. This research highlights critical gaps in current policies and practices, particularly, rigid working hours, underinvestment in support services, inadequate post-care support and lack of positive role models. Recommendations urge devolved governments to restructure social service working hours, increase financial and human resource investment, enhance post-care transition schemes, and implement mentoring programs to provide consistent, supportive adult relationships. By linking zemiology with the lived experiences of children under corporate parenting, this thesis contributes to the understanding of structural harms in care systems and advocates for radical systemic reform to transform social mobility and outcomes for care experienced young people. Further longitudinal and comparative research is urgently recommended to deepen insights and promote policy change. 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spelling 2025-06-27T11:40:18.4368080 v2 69832 2025-06-27 Cynefin - A Zemiological Examination into Vulnerable Children in Wales and Scotland 8fd3873f2491391fde05b7e9c578c6aa Alaina Turner Alaina Turner true false 2025-06-27 Cynefin – is a Welsh word that has no direct translation into English. It is a feeling, being of a place, it describes the elements and experiences of our environment that influence us and how we see the world and shape our identity and our well-being, it is a feeling of belonging. Children who are sequestered in to the care system become a number in the system and measurements on their behaviour, achievements and stability are taken to understand the success or failure, of their corporate parent. Their need for love, security and a sense of belonging appear to be lost in the noise. This study applies a zemiological lens to examine the avoidable social harms experienced by children and young people with care experience in the devolved nations of Wales and Scotland. Zemiology, the study of social harms beyond legal frameworks, reveals how systemic failings in care provision generate multilayered harms including physical, emotional, financial, harms of recognition, and autonomy harms that collectively restrict opportunities, perpetuate inequality, silence the voice of the vulnerable and negatively impact life trajectories. Using a constructivist, embedded single case study design, qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews, visual timelines, and online surveys with care-experienced children, adults with care experience as children, and professionals. Reflexive thematic analysis identified 4 core themes: The Role of Social Services and Key Workers; The Extremes of Fostering; Harm to Crime; and Belonging. Findings illuminate the emotional and psychological toll of unstable placements, the trauma of edge-of-care experiences, failure of hearing the child’s voice, and the hidden pain of unsupported carers. This research highlights critical gaps in current policies and practices, particularly, rigid working hours, underinvestment in support services, inadequate post-care support and lack of positive role models. Recommendations urge devolved governments to restructure social service working hours, increase financial and human resource investment, enhance post-care transition schemes, and implement mentoring programs to provide consistent, supportive adult relationships. By linking zemiology with the lived experiences of children under corporate parenting, this thesis contributes to the understanding of structural harms in care systems and advocates for radical systemic reform to transform social mobility and outcomes for care experienced young people. Further longitudinal and comparative research is urgently recommended to deepen insights and promote policy change. Ultimately, this study urges policymakers to actively address the preventable harms endured by one of society’s most vulnerable populations; harms which can have long term and significant negative impact. E-Thesis Swansea, Wales, UK zemiology, devolution, local authority child care systems, Wales, Scotland, social harm, children, vulnerable 19 6 2025 2025-06-19 10.23889/SUthesis.69832 COLLEGE NANME COLLEGE CODE Swansea University Chales, Anthony ; Janes, Joseph Doctoral Ph.D ESRC ESRC 2025-06-27T11:40:18.4368080 2025-06-27T11:26:20.9914376 Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences School of Social Sciences - Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy Alaina Turner 1 69832__34606__9c7910b37e2e4218879dbb77848ff65a.pdf Turner_Marie-Alaina_PhD_Thesis_Final_Cronfa.pdf 2025-06-27T11:37:58.0891181 Output 3002728 application/pdf E-Thesis – open access true Copyright: The Author, Marie-Alaina Turner, 2025. true eng
title Cynefin - A Zemiological Examination into Vulnerable Children in Wales and Scotland
spellingShingle Cynefin - A Zemiological Examination into Vulnerable Children in Wales and Scotland
Alaina Turner
title_short Cynefin - A Zemiological Examination into Vulnerable Children in Wales and Scotland
title_full Cynefin - A Zemiological Examination into Vulnerable Children in Wales and Scotland
title_fullStr Cynefin - A Zemiological Examination into Vulnerable Children in Wales and Scotland
title_full_unstemmed Cynefin - A Zemiological Examination into Vulnerable Children in Wales and Scotland
title_sort Cynefin - A Zemiological Examination into Vulnerable Children in Wales and Scotland
author_id_str_mv 8fd3873f2491391fde05b7e9c578c6aa
author_id_fullname_str_mv 8fd3873f2491391fde05b7e9c578c6aa_***_Alaina Turner
author Alaina Turner
author2 Alaina Turner
format E-Thesis
publishDate 2025
institution Swansea University
doi_str_mv 10.23889/SUthesis.69832
college_str Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
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hierarchy_top_id facultyofhumanitiesandsocialsciences
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofhumanitiesandsocialsciences
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
department_str School of Social Sciences - Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences{{{_:::_}}}School of Social Sciences - Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy
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description Cynefin – is a Welsh word that has no direct translation into English. It is a feeling, being of a place, it describes the elements and experiences of our environment that influence us and how we see the world and shape our identity and our well-being, it is a feeling of belonging. Children who are sequestered in to the care system become a number in the system and measurements on their behaviour, achievements and stability are taken to understand the success or failure, of their corporate parent. Their need for love, security and a sense of belonging appear to be lost in the noise. This study applies a zemiological lens to examine the avoidable social harms experienced by children and young people with care experience in the devolved nations of Wales and Scotland. Zemiology, the study of social harms beyond legal frameworks, reveals how systemic failings in care provision generate multilayered harms including physical, emotional, financial, harms of recognition, and autonomy harms that collectively restrict opportunities, perpetuate inequality, silence the voice of the vulnerable and negatively impact life trajectories. Using a constructivist, embedded single case study design, qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews, visual timelines, and online surveys with care-experienced children, adults with care experience as children, and professionals. Reflexive thematic analysis identified 4 core themes: The Role of Social Services and Key Workers; The Extremes of Fostering; Harm to Crime; and Belonging. Findings illuminate the emotional and psychological toll of unstable placements, the trauma of edge-of-care experiences, failure of hearing the child’s voice, and the hidden pain of unsupported carers. This research highlights critical gaps in current policies and practices, particularly, rigid working hours, underinvestment in support services, inadequate post-care support and lack of positive role models. Recommendations urge devolved governments to restructure social service working hours, increase financial and human resource investment, enhance post-care transition schemes, and implement mentoring programs to provide consistent, supportive adult relationships. By linking zemiology with the lived experiences of children under corporate parenting, this thesis contributes to the understanding of structural harms in care systems and advocates for radical systemic reform to transform social mobility and outcomes for care experienced young people. Further longitudinal and comparative research is urgently recommended to deepen insights and promote policy change. Ultimately, this study urges policymakers to actively address the preventable harms endured by one of society’s most vulnerable populations; harms which can have long term and significant negative impact.
published_date 2025-06-19T05:29:41Z
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